Songdoc

The Mauna Kea would fit the bill. It's beautiful. But my vote wold be the St. Regis on Kauai. The views are breathtaking. So are the prices at the restaurant! (But you don't have to eat all your meals there--and I'm guessing the prices would be comparable with any other upscale resort.)

fdecarlo

If you're looking at the Mauna Kea also look at the adjoining Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel. Rates are substantially less, while rooms and beach are larger than the Mauna Kea's. Also since the two resorts are under the same ownership, staying at one gives you signing privileges at both.

RollTide_Houston

Thanks Songdoc, the Mauna Kea does look nice. The St. Regis is pretty pricey, even with our $650 budget. It says their room START in the $600s, yikes. I guess what would help is if everyone gave their top two resort choices for Maui, Kauai, and Big Island. That way we can really just chose the resort that best fits us. I think we will like any of the three islands. My aunt loves Maui as an island when she went but liked her resort on the Big Island better. She said the Big Island was not as lush in some parts compared to Maui. I think we want to stay somewhere that has alot of natural beauty. Geez, Hawaii is too big lol, too many options, and all of them good.

fdecarlo

The tradeoff for lush scenery in tropical islands including Hawaii is frequent rain. The Kohala resorts (including the Mauna Kea, Mauna Lani, even the Four Seasons etc) are on the west/dry side of the island, and are oases of landscaped green in vast seas of stark black and brown lava flows. So travelers expecting "South Pacific" are usually disappointed, especially those who never venture far from their resort during their stay, and assume the entire island is equally barren.

It's not. Some of the lushest scenery in the state can be found along the Hamakua Coast on the northeast side, from Waipio Valley to Onomea. Many visit as a day trip from dryer locales like Kohala and Kona, and folks who really don't mind rain often stay in this area as well. Some of the best B&B's I know of on the island are along this coast (Waianuhea in Honokaa etc). Another favorite is Waimea, which sits at 3500' elevation about 20 minutes east of Hapuna. Tons of good food options and accomodations are marginally to substantially less expensive than the coastal resorts.

fdecarlo

Oops never mind the Waianuhea rec. Closed permanently as of 1/15. What a shame imo. Gorgeous place.

FrankS

If you're looking at the Mauna Kea also look at the adjoining Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel. Rates are substantially less, while rooms and beach are larger than the Mauna Kea's. Also since the two resorts are under the same ownership, staying at one gives you signing privileges at both.

FaceInTheCrowd

We've not stayed anywhere in Hawaii that has the look or feel of Kauai's north shore. Too bad the snorkeling there is the worst if all the islands. If you're interested in Maui, check out the Ritz-Carlton or Montage in Kapalua. Beautiful beaches up there, and with decent snorkeling too.

But I still think the Big Island has what you're looking for, so would again suggest the Mauna Lani Bay Hotel. Very Hawaiian feeling, surrounded by beautiful grounds and ocean, with two great snorkeling beaches on property. And north Kohala and the Hamakua Coast, where you'll see those soaring mountains/cliffs, is an easy day trip.

fdecarlo

> Hapuna Prince offers very few Mauna Kea Privileges.

Signing privileges were all I mentioned, restaurants, amenities etc can be charged to your room at either resort.

MK has an onsite luau (best on the island imo) and occasional manta ray viewing offshore, along with a quieter beach and marginally better snorkeling. But most or all of it is available from the HBP with a short shuttle ride, and the HBP itself easily challenges the MK in look and feel:

http://www.incrediblejourney.net/ima...otel_lobby.jpg

It's possibly the most beautiful and well designed resort I've seen anywhere in the world. Everything from the perfect room to the perfect beach and restaurant issue from the panel of a single elevator.

Also in case you didn't already know, the HBP did away with the terrace-view room class. The rooms are now called what they actually are, either partial ocean view or garden view.

But the bottom line imo is, for a few bucks more than the lowest rates at the MK you can get oceanfront at the HBP. The room is larger to boot.

RollTide_Houston

Well it sounds like the resounding recommendations for us is the Big Island. I think that is probably where we will go. I have checked out the Mauna Kea & the Mauna Lani. From what you all have said it sounds like the Mauna Kea is nicer. I will also check out the HBP. Mauna Kea looks like it will cost at least $700 a night for an ocean view room. Crazy how expensive rooms are in Hawaii. I imagine we will most likely need to rent a car on the Big Island. Or is it more economical to take bus.taxi, uber, etc?

RollTide_Houston

Oh I also forgot to mention we have to have A/C. We live in Houston now and I grew up in the deep south so I do not go for that tree hugging "Oh the tropical breeze will keep you cool" crap haha. I noticed after looking at the HBP that it may not have A/C. I assume Mauna Kea and Mauna Lani both have A/C?

RollTide_Houston

Ok, so it seems HBP does have A/C. Well HBP has MUCH better pricing for what you get. But is the Mauna Kea going to be alot nicer? I am guessing the Mauna Lani is somewhere in between?

Shar

first trip to hawaii, I would head to Kauai. I love the Big Island and the Mauna Kea especially but it is very rocky and not what most people think of when they think of Hawaii. Kauai is lush and green and inviting. Resorts....Grand Hyatt Regency is fabulous but you cannot swim at that beach but Poipu is just down the road, Princeville has some great resorts as well. Many people like Maui (not a favorite of mine) but certainly has a lot of resorts .

sf7307

I agree with Shar - Kauai for a first trip to Hawaii. We have been to all the main islands (Oahu, Maui, Kauai, Big Island and Molokai), most 3-4 or more times. I just think Kauai is most like what you picture when you think Hawaii. We were most recently on Maui (much more "developed") and Big Island (only on the Kohala side, where the landscape is interesting but not (IMO) beautiful). When I go back, it will be to Oahu (for its great beaches, especially outside of Waikiki) and Kauai (for its lushness and natural beauty, as well as great beaches and low-key nature).

FrankS

ML, HBP and MK will all have air conditioning, and in the hotels AC is needed. However I found condos with good air flow don't.

I could argue the ML is as nice as the MK, except for the incredible semi private beach at the MK. I don't fly 5k miles for a nice pool and nice room, so I will pay up for the location of the MK. HBP is a solid 4 star hotel on a great but very public beach
I like Kauai, but its not the best choice. Poipu reminds me of Baja CA, Sea of Cortez side just with more tourists. North Shore is incredible, and a good choice for July, but only the St Regis is worth staying. Don't get me wrong, I like the Grand Hyatt in Poipu, and we swim at Shipwreck, my kids will jump off the cliffs, but we like Maui and the BI better

jamie99

North Shore of Kauai will be beautiful that time of year. I would vote for the Hanalei Bay Resort, St. Regis is pricey and only a few of their rooms have lanais which is a deal breaker for me. Also the bar at HBR just reopened yesterday and by May the restaurant should be reopened as well (there was a big fire a few years ago). Beautiful pools, rent from an owner through VRBO, or maybe Summit Pacific.
Grand Hyatt would be nice also, there will be kids but they do have an adult only pool.

RollTide_Houston

Haha, so many different opinions. I think I am more confused now. I thought I had decided on the Big Island but now I am considering Kauai and Maui again. I would chose the Big Island in a heart beat but from what people are saying it sounds like the West Side where Mauna Kea and Mauna lani are, is not as pretty as the other parts of Hawaii. The Big Island's draw is its excellent snorkeling and volcano, etc. But if there is a better resort on a prettier Island with better food then I would make the sacrifice and just take an excursion off shore to snorkel. As opposed to just snorkeling at beach. I figured airfare would help force me into narrowing my choices down but it hasnt lol. Flying to all three islands is about the same travel time and price.

I was interested in possibly taking an offshore excursion. Whether it be fishing, snorkeling, diving, or swimming with dolphins, etc. Do all three offer pretty good options for this?

Sally30

We went to Hawaii for the first time on our honeymoon 13 years ago (from boston) and have been back about 8 times since! The Mauna Kea is our favorite place. It is much nicer than the Hapuna Prince and if your company is footing the bill (what a nice company!), definitely stay at the Mauna Kea. Kauai is great too. We rarely go there on our family trips as we travel over kids' school break in February and weather can be iffy then in Kauai and too far to travel for iffy weather. But in July you will be fine with the weather and the surf will be okay (in winter too rough to swim or boat on North Shore).

so, as others said, read about both Big Island (less tropical looking, less crowed, more laid back) or Kauai (more typically beautiful, more crowded because much smaller) and see which appeals to you. You will likely be back!

One thought - your flights look very expensive. are you flying coach? I would think you could get non-stop or one stop flights for closer to $600 in July. When we go from Boston in February during high season/week for school vacation, we never pay more than about $850 for one stop in Phoenix or LA (normal times and routing).

FaceInTheCrowd

I can't say don't go to Kaua'i, but St. Regis is a bit stuffy for our liking, and we much prefer the place I linked previously: http://jalbum.net/en/browse/user/alb...hh3xmt7jloocw?. Probably my wife's favorite of any accommodation we've stayed in Hawaii. Still, there's the snorkeling issue, but I will say it's almost as good off the beach in front of this cottage as anywhere else on the island. And you'll often be the only ones on that beach.

So I'm wondering..... With the help your boss is giving you, what're the chances of you extending the trip another 4 - 5 days, which would open the possibility of 2 islands?

I'd agree that MK is probably a nice hotel, with nicer amenities than ML, but that's without knowing how things might (have) change(d) with Marriott now as owner. I would say though that ML is more culturally and historically authentic, and exudes more aloha than MK, which to me feels as much far eastern as it does pacific island.

"I imagine we will most likely need to rent a car on the Big Island."

Yes, unless it's Waikiki/Honolulu, you'll want a car regardless of where you stay.

FaceInTheCrowd

I posted before reading your latest post....

Swimming with dolphins excursions are unlawful, even though there are plenty of tour operators that offer the experience. Please don't encourage them. On our last trip to the Big Island, I let myself get talked into two days of fishing. Complete waste of time (but that's partially because I didn't catch anything either day). I do think however you'd enjoy snorkeling excursions (though you easily snorkel from most beaches), especially perhaps one like this, which is only offered on the Big Island: https://www.jacksdivinglocker.com/sn...night-snorkel/. Still on the Big Island, we've also enjoyed a Sunset Cruise and outrigger paddling tour, both with Mauna Lani Sea Adventures: http://maunalaniseaadventures.com/. You can find similar on Maui.

But if you end up on Kauai, I'd forget snorkeling and diving excursions, and instead consider a sailing boat tour of the Na Pali Coast, and a helicopter tour of the island.

RollTide_Houston

Well I decided to take a look at the north west part of the Big Island on google maps to see what that area of Hawaii looks like. I grew up in Destin Florida so I am used to sugar white sand and emerald water. When I went down to first person earth view on Google Maps I was not impressed. It was barren, rocky, no trees, and even the resorts didnt look all that green. Even the water did not look that great. If we are going to fly half way across the globe I think we will want more scenery than that. I need to go check out Kauai on Google Maps as well.